ROAD RISK TRAINING FOR BUSINESS
“Road risk” training was delivered to staff at a Telford car dealership in the first of a series of fund raising education initiatives.
Alcohol, drugs and road safety were on the agenda during two training sessions for 50 staff from the Mitsubishi and Honda showrooms run by J.T.Hughes in Telford.
Corporate trainers, the TTC Group, specialise in educating industry in managing occupational road risk to reduce workforce road and injury deaths in the county where one in three crashes involve drivers at work.
Managers, office workers, mechanics and car sales staff watched an interactive display from TTC Group director Graham Wynn on the varying strengths of alcohol now served in larger measures.
“It is surprising how many people are caught out over the drink drive limit because they did not know about alcohol absorption rates and how long it takes to leave the system.”
On average it took one hour to rid the body of a single unit of alcohol and with five extra strong lagers totalling 15 units many social drinkers were driving to work the next morning unaware they were still over the limit, he said.
One employee “walked the line” wearing Drunkbuster goggles which split the vision to give a drunk’s eye view. He was unable to pick up car keys from the floor during the demonstration.
Honda sales administrator Hayley Hatton said: “It’s quite shocking to see exactly what a unit is. I just didn’t realise about drink sizes. It’s good to know though especially with Christmas just around the corner.”
National Training Manager Malcolm Jones, of TTC, spoke about driver hazards and speed awareness giving tips on how to be aware of potential dangers on the road.
“Qur instructors are fleet registered and used to dealing with experienced drivers. The training just helps them to pick up more clues to make a work journey safer.
“People who go on our course do not just react to a situation on the road, they are ready to deal with it.”
County firms who want to educate their staff are urged to contact the TTC Group which is donating the fee towards the running costs of the new hospice next to the Princess Royal Hospital. J.T.Hughes is offering its showrooms as the training venue.
In Shropshire 1,350 were killed or seriously injured in road crashes in 2004. For more information about corporate driving courses contact the TTC Group, of Hadley Park, Telford, Shropshire, on 0845 270 4363 or visit www.ttc-uk.com
